The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-09-06
MARTIN, THE POSTWAR.

You have often seen him crossing the fields
with rapid steps, recognizable not only oy hs
uniform cap and jacket, but still more by the
sustained activity of his movements; for TO
him the moments are counted, aud he has no !
right 70 Slaeken his pace An interchangeable |
walker. ne fulfiIs his duty from the first day |
of the year to tine last without rest or ceaslng. |
When 2 tropical sun invites all living 1
creatures TO repcSe: when the weather Is as
cold As the frozen wilds of Siberia; when II
rims or when it SHOWS until the roads are
buried and the paths obliterated, he must still !
30 across the country, through the forests
and the trnacherolls marshes, seeking Tor zoe
horses lost in these solitudes and cut of from
all communication with the towns save by
the nissives which it is his place TO bring
than. He makes not less than from ten TO
twelve leagues a day, following the by paths,
leaping the streams, scaling the cliffs, risklng
q fall into some deep ravine, and woundlng
himself upon the thorns of the thickets-
To loiter even is forbidden him, for tho
hour TO return is fixed by law, the letters
which he brings back with him must depart
with the outgoing mail, and tie slightest IN
fraction of this programme would have the
gravest consequences.
Father Martin, as he was called through
out the countryside, had followed the busl-
ness of poStman for twenty years An ex-
soldier. thanks to the irreproachable condi-
tions of the service whict grants its patron
age as q signal favor, he had obtained from
The postal lureeC of the canton the privilege
IF receiving fifty francs month as salary.
Yet Martin was not at all proud of his ex-
allied position, though lac perfectly under
stood its responsibilities and its duties.
Everybody knew and liked the little gray
haired postman with the complexion OF brass,
but whose limbs possessed the suppleness and
strength of steel; they knew him, as say,
and what was better still, appreciated him
for his scrupulous observance OF rules, though
he never refused TO do them a favor provided
it conceded with his work. There was not q
corner of his circumspection that he had not
Travelled from time to time with only the
company of the birds and his wolf dog KEEP,
and not hamlet or dwelling in the circuit to
reach which he could not tell you the miles
required. almost to the exactitude of metre.
Neither was he one TO spare himself, no mat
ter what the weather, a half hours search by
throwing aside into ditch some worthless
circular or letter of doubtful address II the
destination could not be found he returned
with it at once to the bureau of the canton.
A slave to orders, punctual as a clock. and
with a discretion which discouraged all curl
osity, everywhere was his coming welcomed
and when he was seen entering the village:
shs children ran to meet him, and the dog:
received him with joyous barkings But Il
the offer of a cup of cider or a bit of bread
The postman invariably said "no"-timt
messed, and he disliked to contract social OBJ
legations
His record at the Office was equally good
and the chief more than once regretted tina
the parsimony of the government did no
permit him to acknowledge such loya
services.
One morning about the middle of Octobe
Father Martin departed on his usual rounds
The weather was frightful, and, as it hal
rained necessarily for more than week, tn
roads Were quagmires, the brooks torrent
and what leaves remained upon the trees s.
rotten and sodden with the water that the.
afforded not the slightest shelter from th
storm. The postman, however, thoug
drenched to the skin, marched with the I'm
FEASIBILITY of the true soldier, who never dis
cusses nor dreams of evading orders. II
had partially distributed his dispatches, bu
bis circuit was far from ended, when he cam
TO the auberge of Sebastian, an inn, q
rather miserable wine shop at the entranc
to the forest, and which had for Its clientag
the manufacturers of wooden shoes, VIII
dwe!t in the neighborhood and came ther
for groceries and alcoholic stimulants.
9Hello! Mr.. Postman," shouted a voice q
he passed the door; "won't you bide bit I'll
the storm has passed and give me some IL
formation which I'm greatly i'll need OFF,
Turning about, Martin saw that this invita-
tion was addressed to him by a man standin
in the doorway, with his hands in his pocket
and a pipe in his mouth. As the rain wa
falling in torrents at the moment, and til
wind blowing so violently that he found
impossible TO keep the road, Martin decide
20 see what it was he wanted, particularly 6
the exigencies of the service i'll no wise prC
hibited his accepting shelter in circumstance
like these.
He entered the auberge, as requested
therefore, and, placing himself before the log
which cracked on the hearth, he asked Ii
man What was his desireF
ITO know the hours the mails 60 out an
come in, and a dozen things besides, Fathe
Martin" he answered, with a laugh, al
preaching the fire and stirring the flames ii
the postman steamed like turkey cooking
its juice.
sYou know me, then?' curiously regardin
his interrogation.
sOf course 1 know you. Who doesn't
these parts! But, no, Nine. Rosierl bring OF
some glasses and some eau de vie. What
dogs life yours is, Father Martin, he contil
ued, "and your circuit isn't finished yet! Yo
go, il / remember, as far as Plessis ar
LANDLORDS as we'll The people there are m
waiting your arrival with patience, can te
you. However, they're in my way. Tru
me with your letters; TIL See them safe ar
save you long and weary journeying"
Thanks" replied the postman quietl
SHUT that is something I must do myself"
swell, perhaps you are right-you mu
obey ORDERS" and talking with loquaci
which his companion did little to encourag